Like Wile E. Coyote catching the Roadrunner or the Buffalo Bills winning a Super Bowl, some things are just not meant to be. Now, it seems as though construction of the Guggenheim Helsinki can be added to that list.
The idea for the museum has been divisive among Finnish citizens since it was first proposed in 2012, Curbed reports. Some believed it was a waste of money while others thought it would become a tourist destination and an economic draw. But that argument between the two sides was officially put to rest recently as the Finnish government ruled out state funding for the project.
The museum was expected to cost between $134 and $156 million to build with the government covering about $45 million of the total. With about one-third of the project's funds being eliminated in one fell swoop, the museum's chances at ever being constructed are slim. The Guggenheim Foundation has not given up hope yet, however, as it is attempting to find another way to get the money necessary for construction.
They don’t have long to figure it out, though, as the museum’s reservation for the planned 18,520-sm harborfront site will expire at the end of this year.
The current, and possibly doomed, design for the Guggenheim Helsinki comes from Moreau Kusunoki Architects, a Paris-based firm that won a competition of over 1,715 submissions for the opportunity to design the building.
Rendering courtesy of Moreau Kusunoki Architects via DesignGuggenheimHelsinki.org
Rendering courtesy of Moreau Kusunoki Architects via DesignGuggenheimHelsinki.org
Image courtesy of Moreau Kusunoki Architects via DesignGuggenheimHelsinki.org
Related Stories
| Jun 25, 2013
DC commission approves Gehry's redesign for Eisenhower memorial
Frank Gehry's updated for a new Dwight D. Eisenhower memorial in Washington, D.C., has been approved by the Eisenhower Memorial Commission, reports the Washington Post. The commission voted unanimously to approve the $110 million project, which has been gestating for 14 years.
| Jun 5, 2013
USGBC: Free LEED certification for projects in new markets
In an effort to accelerate sustainable development around the world, the U.S. Green Building Council is offering free LEED certification to the first projects to certify in the 112 countries where LEED has yet to take root.
| Jun 3, 2013
Construction spending inches upward in April
The U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that construction spending during April 2013 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $860.8 billion, 0.4 percent above the revised March estimate of $857.7 billion.
| May 21, 2013
7 tile trends for 2013: Touch-sensitive glazes, metallic tones among top styles
Tile of Spain consultant and ceramic tile expert Ryan Fasan presented his "What's Trending in Tile" roundup at the Coverings 2013 show in Atlanta earlier this month. Here's an overview of Fasan's emerging tile trends for 2013.
| May 2, 2013
First look: UC-Davis art museum by SO-IL and Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
The University of California, Davis has selected emerging New York-based practice SO-IL to design a new campus’ art museum, which is envisioned to be a “regional center of experimentation, participation and learning.”
| Apr 30, 2013
Tips for designing with fire rated glass - AIA/CES course
Kate Steel of Steel Consulting Services offers tips and advice for choosing the correct code-compliant glazing product for every fire-rated application. This BD+C University class is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Apr 26, 2013
Documentary shows 'starchitects' competing for museum project
"The Competition," a new documentary produced by Angel Borrego Cuberto of Madrid, focuses on the efforts of five 'starchitects' to capture the design contract for the new National Museum of Art of Andorra: a small country in the Pyrenees between Spain and France.
| Apr 24, 2013
Los Angeles may add cool roofs to its building code
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants cool roofs added to the city’s building code. He is also asking the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to create incentives that make it financially attractive for homeowners to install cool roofs.
| Apr 23, 2013
Architects to MoMA: Don't destroy Williams/Tsien project
Richard Meier, Thom Mayne, Steven Holl, Hugh Hardy and Robert A.M. Stern are among the prominent architects who on Monday called for the Museum of Modern Art to reconsider its decision to demolish the former home of the American Folk Art Museum.
| Apr 17, 2013
First look: Renzo Piano's glass-domed motion pictures museum
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences last week released preliminary plans for its $300 million Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences museum in Los Angeles, designed by Renzo Piano and local architect Zoltan Pali.
